Concerns surrounding assisted dying debate
I WAS not intending to write but following so many reports on TV, radio and the Press about a campaigner’s wish for the States to discuss and consider a change in the law to allow assisted dying, I feel it necessary. Sarah Griffith has said she believes a way forward would be to go before an advocate and sign up to assisted dying. While that sounds simple, is there any protection in that? There are uncomfortable issues that have so far been avoided, for instance, who would assist in the dying process? Where in Guernsey would it take place?
I believe the Swiss authorities closed down houses that had been used. It has since taken place on an industrial estate. It is reported that 21% of people receiving assistance in dying were not terminally ill. It is also thought urns found in Lake Zurich [in 2010] were from a crematorium used by the death clinic.
I watched a documentary on assisted dying and the patient said ‘water, water’ and the last word he will have heard will have been a very sharp ‘no’.
If permission were granted for assisted dying in Guernsey would it be for local residents only? There are probably other issues that should be considered, not only by the States but by everyone. My concern, and I feel it’s a very important concern, is whether there would be satisfactory safeguards for people when ill to stop them being taken advantage of by people with only a thought for money.
There was an incident a few years ago when a visitor went into a hospital, leaned over a patient and said he would instruct his advocate to prepare a will for the patient and he would inherit property and money. There are dates and paperwork of this happening.
If assisted dying were allowed it would give those with a greed for money even more chance to put pressure on vulnerable patients.
Name and address withheld.